The last letter in the Hebrew alphabet ‘X’, is pronounced ‘taw’. In Greek, ‘T’ is the letter ‘Tau’. It means ‘a cross made by joining or attaching pieces together’. When the cross bar is used as a carrying handle, it becomes a Crux Ansata.

Advent Cross image courtesy Seiyaku

As Jesus prophesied his own crucifixion in John 3: 14 and 15, this is also called the Anticipatory Cross or Advent Cross. Some churches use this cross for Advent Sunday.

An Egyptian priest, Father Anthony, followed an ascetic life in the desert. Long-lived and healthy, he was also considered wise. As his fame spread, the Tau Cross also became called St. Anthony’s Cross.

Looking at the Tau Cross, in brown, it’s the same as a monk’s habit, with the arms outstretched.

The last letter in the Hebrew alphabet ‘X’, is pronounced ‘taw’. In Greek, ‘T’ is the letter ‘Tau’. It means ‘a cross made by joining or attaching pieces together’. Shen the cross bar is used as a carrying handle, it becomes a Crux Ansata.

Anticipatory Cross image courtesy Seiyaku

As Jesus prophesied his own crucifixion in John 3: 14 and 15, this is also called the Anticipatory Cross or Advent Cross. Some churches use this cross for Advent Sunday.

Aaron’s staff budded (Numbers 17), then was placed in the Ark of the Covenant, signifying life can emerge from death and renewed life from difficult circumstances

The four arms with three buds give the name Apostle’s Cross, with one bud for each apostle, while Matthew 16:24 invites us all to become apostles, or disciples, of Christ.

Apostle’s Cross image courtesy Seiyaku

Armenian Cross [Siroun Cross, Khachkar Cross, Armenia was the first country to use the cross as a Christian symbol. Chrisianity became the ‘state’ religion in the 4th century. Other countries didn’t use the cross until the 9th century.] ~ The discs on the ends of the arms were to represent the sun, with each sun representing the light of Christianity. The total of eight discs symbolize the eight beatitudes of Matthew 5:3 to 11. Multiples of 8 are in their architecture, with the churches built on 16 pillars, for the 12 Apostles and 4 Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Often an octagonal dome tops the churches.

representing the plaque which bore Pontius Pilate'’ inscription ‘INRI’ which translates Jesus the Nazorean, King of the Jews. In Latin the plaque is known as titulus cruces, thus named the Titulus Cross

the first beam symbolizes secular power, the second ecclesiastic power of the Byzantine emperors. Used as a political symbol in 9th century by Byzantine clerks and missionaries.

the first beam represents the death of Christ, the second His resurrection

Archbishop’s Cross image courtesy Seiyaku

Archbishop’s Cross II image courtesy James Parker

Archiepiscopal Cross ~ see Archbishop’s Cross

Arrow Cross [Barbee Cross, Barby Cross, Croix Cramponnee, Croix Tournee, Crosstar Cross, St. Sebastian's Cross] ~ the ends of this cross resemble the barbs of fish hooks, or fish spears, alluding to the Ichthys symbol of Christ, suggesting the ‘fishers of men’ in the Gospels.

Arrow Cross image courtesy Seiyaku

Arrow Cross image courtesy Seiyaku

Arrow Cross image courtesy James Parker

Avellan, Avellane Cross [Cercelée Cross, Hazelnut Cross, Recercelée Cross, Sarcelly Cross, Teal Duck Cross] Corylus avellana is the Latin name for the hazel shrub. Throughout Great Britain the shrubs were planted as hedgerows. Longer poles were used for wattle-and-daub fences and buildings. It also produces the hazelnut.

In French

Avellan ~ hazel shrub or nut

Cercelee ~ ends curved out

Recercelee ~ ends curved in

Sarcell ~ teal duck

Avellan Cross I image courtesy James Parker

Avellan Cross II image courtesy James Parker

Avellan Cross III image courtesy Seiyaku

Barbee Cross, Barby Cross [Arrow Cross, Croix Cramponnee, Croix Tournee, Crosstar, St. Sebastian's Cross] ~ the ends of this cross resemble the barbs of fish hooks, or fish spears, alluding to the Ichthys symbol of Christ, suggesting the ‘fishers of men’ in the Gospels.

Gamma, Γ , is the third letter of the Greek alphabet, reminding Christians of the Trinity. The four gammas represent four Evangelists with the Greek Cross in the center representing Christ.

Bent Cross image courtesy Wikipedia

Bezant Cross [Bourdonnée Cross, Pomee Cross, Pomel Cross, Pommelly, Pommee Cross, very old coins from Turkey/Byzantium were called ‘Bezants’. The coins were widely circulated, and this cross also adopted the name] ~ symbolizes the fruits and rewards of living a good Christian lifePommee' means 'apple', and in the Bible the apple is always referred to as a treasured item

Bezant Cross image courtesy James Parker

Blessings Cross [Hand Held Cross, Palm Cross, small cross which fits in the palm of the hand, often placed in the hands of someone who is dying]

Blessing Cross image courtesy Seiyaku

Bordered Cross [Clechee Cross, Empty Cross, Pierced Cross, Voided Cross] ~ being empty, it recalls that Christ rose from death on the cross to proclaim His victory over sin, death, and the devil.

Aaron’s staff budded (Numbers 17), then was placed in the Ark of the Covenant, signifying life can emerge from death and renewed life from difficult circumstances

The four arms with three buds give the name Apostle’s Cross, with one bud for each apostle, while Matthew 16:24 invites us all to become apostles, or disciples, of Christ.

Bottonnee, Bottony Cross imagecourtesy James Parker

Bottonnee, Bottony Cross image courtesy Seiyaku

Bottony Clechy Cross [Cathar Cross, Entrailed Cross, Huguenot Cross, Languedoc Cross, Occitan Cross, Toulousse Cross, before the French Revolution, Toulouse was the capital of the Languedoc Province. Similar to the Languedoc Cross, adopted by the Huguenots] ~ the blobs (bottony) extending beyond the edge of the cross have no known purpose, though they may represent the twelve apostles, rays of sunlight, as simply have been rivets used to attach the cross to a shield.

Bottony Clechy Cross image courtesy Fleur de Lis

Boundary Cross [Crux Decussata, St. Andrews Cross, Saltire Cross, Scotland’s national flag and a Russian Navy naval ensign. Called the Boundary Cross because it was used by the Romans as a barrier

Boundary Cross image courtesy Wikipedia

Bourdonnée Cross [Bezant Cross, Pomee Cross, Pomel Cross, Pommelly Cross, very old coins from Turkey/Byzantium were called ‘Bezants’. The coins were widely circulated, and this cross also adopted the name] ~ symbolizes the fruits and rewards of living a good Christian life. In French pomme means apple, which in the Bible is always a treasured item.

The lowest beam, called a suppedaneum or footrest, is slanted symbolizing a balance-scale of justice. This portrays the good thief accepting Christ and ascending into heaven while the bad thief who mocked Jesus is descending into hell.

The lower beam also represents Matthew 23:32 and 33, in which those on the right side of Christ will rise up into heaven while those on his left will slide down into hell.